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Recommendations

Travel in Europe and discover cultural icons from the classical rubble of Athens and Rome to the castles of southern Spain, the pomp of Victorian London to the vineyards of Champagne

Top 10 Europe travel experiences

From mountain ranges to turquoise seas, from really old ruins to throbbing modern cities, Europe has enough to keep every traveller entertained for a lifetime

1. Explore volcanic landscapes, Iceland – Iceland is a hotbed of geothermal activity: geysers spew, volcanoes erupt, hot pools steam. You can see a lot from capital Reykjavik – take a dip in the Blue Lagoon, then a day trip to Geysir and Gulfoss. Longer treks will unearth innumerable volcanic treasures.
2. Marvel at the Alhambra, Granada, Spain – the Moorish palace and fortress complex that dominates the Andalucian city is a delight of courtyards, pools and ornate chambers. It gets busy though – a good guide will steer you away from the crowds.
3. Cruise Norway’s fjords – the Unesco-listed inlets of the Norwegian coast are as dramatic as they are far-reaching, stretching way up into the Arctic Circle. Board the Hurtigruten ferry, which runs from north to south and back again year round, to see the lot.
4. Island hop, Greece – there are over 6,000 Greek islands, which is a lot of hopping. Try Santorini for romance, Crete for ruins and gorges, the Ionian Islands for learning to sail, and all of them for breezy taverna lounging.
5. Roaming the Highlands, Scotland – head to the UK's far north for the country's wildest wilderness and profuse wildlife: take binoculars to look out for puffins (try the Stacks of Duncansby), golden eagles, otters in the rivers, dolphins offshore (head to Moray Firth) and red squirrels in the woods.
6. Cycling in France – the perfect place for pedalers of all abilities: pros can tackle stretches of the Tour de France (the slog up Mont Ventoux, perhaps) while more casual cyclists can ride along the Loire or Brittany's coast, stopping off for plenty of vin rouge en route.
7. Meet bears and wolves, Romania – the Carpathian Mountains are one of the best spots for big mammals on the continent. Trek across this little-populated region with a local guide to maximise your chances of a sighting.
8. Hike round the Eiger, Switzerland – you don't need to summit this mighty mountain; for the best views of all its faces, walk around it instead, stopping in Heidi-cute hamlets and wildflower meadows. The excellent and efficient Swiss transport system makes access a doddle.
9. See Old Europe, Sicily, Italy – combine an active volcano, craggy coves, sunny beaches, top nosh and a surplus of ancient ruins on this Italian island, which has a distinctly differently feel to the mainland. Just avoid August, when all of Italy goes on holiday.
10. Walk the South West Coast Path, England – 1,000km of undulating, sea-hugging, seal-dotted, pasty-serving loveliness: England's longest walking trail is a beauty. In summer look out for basking sharks passing by.

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